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Save Our Service Veterans Scotland (SOSVS) is a grassroots organisation based in the East End of Glasgow that aims to reduce isolation and loneliness, and promote positive health and wellbeing amongst service veterans, people affected by mental health issues and the local community
Established in 2014 by service veteran John Noble, the project provides positive interventions in the form of horticultural projects and recovery through fitness and football.
About Us SOSVS operates 5 days a week within a range of settings in the East End of Glasgow and surrounding areas
• Parkhead Community Gardens
• The Legacy Hub
• Veterans Retune Project – Edinburgh Rd
• Parkhead Old Folks Home
We operate from both static and mobile sites to allow us to meet the needs of our volunteers
SOSVS provide full day activity based programmes for our volunteers, and provides all necessary equipment and transport to break down barriers to accessing our service. Volunteer’s commitment is based on an individual basis – get involved as much or as little as you like, just GET INVOLVED
We are governed by a Management Board that is made up of ex veterans and members of the local community. Our Management Board provides strategic leadership and helps steers the direction of the organisation.
SOSVS is fully supported and takes referrals from a range of partner projects: • Combat Stress
• NHS Glasgow – parkhead hospital
• Jobs & Business Glasgow
• Legacy hub
• Retune – Veterans Project
• Partick Thistle FC
What We Do SOSVS is involved in a range of projects in the East End of Glasgow. The projects provide opportunities for our volunteers to come together, have a laugh, get to know each other a bit better and share knowledge, skills and experiences. Here are a few of the projects our volunteers are involved in:
Gardening
Some of our volunteers have no gardening experience whatsoever, and that’s okay. The main purpose of the projects is for people to come together and do something useful in their spare time. Gardening can be very therapeutic and it’s great to watch something grow from nothing.
• The Legacy Hub – SOSVS are involved in redeveloping the area that surrounds the Hub. The work will begin in November 2017 with plans to create pathways, and build raised beds and planter boxes which will enhance the area and make it accessible and inviting for the local community.
• Parkhead Community Gardens – SOSVS are involved in maintaining these already established gardens to ensure they are of benefit to the local community. We operate a static site at this location which is particularly suitable for our volunteers who prefer not to travel to other areas. Volunteers have the opportunity to learn all aspects of gardening at this site, whilst having the time to see their hard work and efforts come to bloom.
• SOSVS are involved in maintaining the established gardens within the site. We make an extra special effort to maintain a sensory garden within the grounds to offer sensory and visual stimulation to residents of the home and the wider community
Football SOSVS Football Project aims to reduce isolation and promote health and wellbeing by providing opportunities for our volunteers to get out and about and play a game of football. Being active is good for you. It allows you to get out of the house and have a laugh with others whilst increasing your level of fitness. You don’t have to be a good player, you just need to want to get involved. You don’t need any specialist equipment, just something comfortable and a pair a trainers.
• Football sessions for Hidden Wounds - We host 2 sessions a week at Petershill Stadium Glasgow from 3 5pm. All our sessions are coached and supported by staff from Partick Thistle Football Club. These sessions provide an opportunity to play a game of football, enjoy the company of others, and benefit from outdoor exercise. All participants can enjoy a hot evening meal after the sessions.
• On the last Tuesday of the month, our volunteers participate in the SFA Pan Disability League, which is a Scotland wide initiative. This initiative provides opportunities for our volunteers to use (or showcase) their footwork skills, have a laugh, socialise and make new friendships, increase confidence and self-esteem, and benefit from increased activity.
Volunteers participating in the football project will soon have an opportunity to obtain either a Player Pathway Certificate or a Coach Pathway Certificate which is accredited by the SFA. SOSVS is working towards establishing these options for our volunteers
SOSVS provide all equipment and transport for the football project, so all you have to do is make yourself available. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people
Get Involved If you are interested in getting involved in one of SOSVS projects, but you don’t know if you’ll have the time, there are opportunities available for those who want to volunteer 1 afternoon a week, and opportunities for people to come along every day. There is no pressure for you to do more than is comfortable for you. Just take it at your own pace and give as much or as little as you like. SOSVS is open to males and females aged 18 and over.
You can get in touch with us by:
Giving us a call – 07398034816Dropping us a line – SOSVS1@outlook.com
If you are currently experiencing some mental health issues and are unsure if SOSVS is for you, why not get in touch for a no pressure chat? Everybody has to start somewhere…
News
SFA Pan Disability League in 2016-2017
SOSVS volunteers were close runners up in the SFA Pan Disability League in 2016-2017 seasons. This was a massive achievement for our volunteers and provided a huge confidence boost for everyone involved.
Football Friendship Competition.
SOSVS volunteers won the Welsh Friendship Cup. The trip was supported by Partick Thistle Football Club who very kindly supported us by providing transport for 12 volunteers. Welsh Business man Dia Ree’s very kindly provided accommodation for our players. This was a great trip and a good time was had by all.